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Solar costs, credits and your utility bill

There are upfront costs when installing a home solar power system. Grants, incentive programs and micro-generation credits can help balance this initial investment over time.​​​​​

 

Home solar costs

The average cost of a solar power system for a home that typically consumes between 600 to 800 kilowatt⁠-⁠hours (kWh) of electricity per month is $12,000 to $20,000. This includes the cost of the equipment, installation, permitting and commission/electrification and does not account for any savings from grants or incentives. Installing a smaller home solar power system can partially offset consumption and is often a better fit for a homeowner's budget. As time passes, more solar modules can be added.

Applying for solar grants can help balance these costs.

The condition of a home’s roof, any required electrical upgrades, or other project-specific considerations may affect the overall cost.

 

Home solar credits

Any surplus power generated by a home solar power system is “sold” back to the grid to create a micro-generation credit on a homeowner’s monthly utility bill. Micro-generation credits only occur when a home solar power system is connected to the grid.

Excess solar power is most often seen during the sunnier summer months and for home solar power systems sized to offset most or all of a household’s monthly electricity consumption. Home solar power systems cannot be sized with the capacity to generate more electricity than is used by a household annually.

Installing a smaller solar power system can help partially offset energy consumption from the grid and may or may not result in excess power generation.

 

Solar grants and incentives

For those considering solar, there are grant and incentive programs available to help offset costs for recipients.

See available solar grants
 

Solar and your utility bill

Installing a home solar power system introduces a new measurable source of energy onto a monthly utility bill, often as a credit during sunnier months. Other line items on a monthly bill will also change as a result of adding home solar.

Learn how solar affects your bill


Solar costs, credits and your utility bill Q&A

  • What does it cost to install a solar power system for my home?

    ​​​​​If your goal is to install enough panels to match your annual energy consumption, the average cost for a home that typically consumes between 600 to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month is $12,000 to $20,000. This includes the cost of the equipment, installation, permitting and commission/electrification and does not account for any savings from grants or incentives.

    The condition of your roof, any required electrical upgrades, or other project-specific considerations may affect the cost.

    Applying for solar grants can help offset these costs.

    Installing a smaller solar power system can help partially offset your energy consumption from the grid. This may be a better fit for your budget; and, as time passes, you can always add solar modules to your syst​em.

    ​ ​
  • When will I see a return on my investment?

    ​There are a lot of things to consider when trying to determine whether and at what point the upfront costs of your home solar power system may be offset. Generally, a return on your investment takes at least 10 to 15 years if the system performs as expected. Incentive programs, grants and purchase terms such as financing affect this timeframe.​​

    A return on investment may not be possible for all consumers. Performance of a solar system and the associated financial considerations are dependent on a variety of factors including but not limited to sunlight and weather, the presence of obstructions, governing laws, performance of the equipment, the condition of the roof, prevailing utility rates, and the availability of incentives and rebate programs.

  • How will this affect my monthly bills?

    Using a solar power system to generate electricity can help you save the money you would typically pay for the electricity you consume. Depending on the size of your system, you may be able to offset all or a portion of your monthly electricity usage. Because your system is still connected to the grid, you’ll need to pay for other charges such as Transmission and Distribution, applicable taxes and similar fees. 

    If you create more electricity than you consume, that surplus is sold to the grid at the same rate as you pay for incoming electricity to create a credit. If your credit is higher than your monthly bill total, any savings are rolled over month-to-month.

    ​​

Ready to add solar to your home?

The below resources can help if you’re ready to take the next step.

Am I a candidate
for solar?

Review our FAQs

Check available solar grants and
​ inc​​entives

Looking for ways to help offset the cost of adding solar to your home?​


See available solar grants

Connect with a verified solar provider

Check the Alberta solar directory for a solar provider in your area that meets your needs.​​

Visit SolarAlberta.ca​​​​​​​

Solar contacts

General solar system, micro-generation credit and billing questions:

Phone: 310-2010 or 1-877-571-7111 (Outside Alberta)

Current ENMAX solar lease customers:

solarsupport@enmax.com

ENMAX Power micro-​generation applications:

DERConnect@enmax.com

ENMAX Power meter exchanges or general metering inquiries:

TRAC@enmax.com


For solar installers looking to work with ENMAX Power, visit our Distributed Generation page​​​​​

Customers are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).

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